OooOoOooO
AN: I know I shouldn't be posting another story but I couldn't help it! Though I promise that I would never abandon the others, the opportunity to share this new story might then not come due to the nearing of class opening. And I also got other ideas stuck in my PC for a very long time (and new ones) that I would very much love to share with you. It might not be that much but I loved these stories! And my imagination always acted up and always forced me either to come up with something new or to update a particular story.
Enjoy the story :):)
Facts I should inform you of about this story:
(1) Sam and Tucker would appear at Hogwarts
(2) Danny and his friends would be eleven.
(3) Danny already had his ghost powers.
(4) Harry's aware of his cousins in America (Fenton Family)
Chapter One: Nightmare's Calling (Summer Part I)
The doorbell rang loudly.
"Boy! Open the bloody door!" Vernon bellowed angrily from the kitchen as the raven haired boy jolted in slight surprise.
Then he grumbled in annoyance as he sluggishly trotted to the door. Whoever was standing beyond the wooden contraption seemed to be patient as the doorbell rang after a considerable number of minutes. Harry opened it with a blank face only to morph with surprise.
Green eyes widened behind round-rimmed glasses.
"Professor Lupin!" He breathed out pleasantly as he gave the professor a brief hug.
The man patted the boy's back jovially as he chuckled.
"It's good to see you too, Harry." Remus greeted as the boy pulled back, staring at him curiously.
"But what are you doing here?" Harry whispered as he instantly closed the door behind him.
Now that the boy had mentioned it, Remus suddenly remembered why he had been here. Originally, Dumbledore had intended for Grimmauld where the Headquarters of Order of the Phoenix currently resided in but both of them thought it prudent for Harry's place. He sobered quickly as his smile dropped, eyes saddening.
"Do you remember Madeline from America?" The brown haired man questioned sombrely.
"Aunt Maddie? Yes, is there a problem?" Harry heard enough from the Dursleys about Madeline Evans who was also a witch, the youngest sister of his Mom and Petunia.
He hadn't been sent under Aunt Maddie's care because she was in America.
According to Dumbledore, his magic jurisdiction would have to be registered in the American Ministry of Magic and would be then not allowed to attend Hogwarts in England. But even then, his aunt always sent him gifts during the holidays and even sent him letters. Aunt Maddie had admitted to being guilty about not being able to take him in. Aside from the reasons the Headmaster had pointed out, her profession as a ghost hunter (Harry still had a hard time believing it) might attract more attention to him as the famed Boy-Who-Lived.
Harry had been understandably upset and a little angry.
But he had learned to let go of it as Sirius explained to him how much stricter rules and regulations were in American Wizardry World. And Harry simply appreciated the fact that he had a family that still cared for him. Apparently, Aunt Maddie had gone to Hogwarts too just two years behind his parents. But had migrated to America to continue muggle education where she met her eventual husband who was a muggle. The last time anyone from Britain had seen of her was during the funeral of Lily Potter, his mother.
He had heard from her during Christmas that ghost activity had been going hectic lately back there. His aunt told him that his cousins were fine but only one seemed to be a potential wizard. And Sirius had told him that the Marauders were taken to Lily's little eccentric sister back in the days so they knew his aunt personally. He had only seen her and her family in the photos she sent in her letters and was hoping to eventually meet her and his cousins.
Unfortunately, that magical cousin would be attending the Salem Institute of Magic in America.
"Madeline was on her way here. Something drastic happened back in America." Remus explained grimly, taking note of Harry's rigid stance. "But… she had been intercepted. Tonks and I were supposed to meet her and her children in an inn at London five days ago. Some people got to them first."
"What? I… I don't understand. It still doesn't explain why you're here." Harry reasoned frantically, anxiety entering his voice.
Remus sighed tiredly.
"Death Eaters." The man simply said lowly, voice laced with anger.
Harry blinked as he tried really hard to understand.
"And where are they now?" Harry was almost afraid to ask by the grave expression on the professor's face. He had heard enough from Mr. and Mrs. Weasley about the terror Death Eaters brought with them, blood, grime, death, torture, and painful suffering.
He didn't even want to know what Voldermort's followers had been doing visiting his Aunt Maddie.
"We were too late, Harry. I'm really sorry. Madeline and her daughter, Jasmine, were already murdered by the killing curse when we arrived–" He was cut off as Harry grabbed his robes in a death grip, his livid face a mere centimetre from his own.
"How could you!" Harry yelled furiously at the grieving man. "They're the only family that I have left, Professor! The only ones that seemed to care! Why? Bloody hell, answer me!" The boy demanded angrily, shaking the professor for good measure.
"It's our fault, I know. But that's only one of the reasons why I came here." Remus tried to convince him, concern and grief written all over his face.
But something seemed to have snapped in Harry as he remembered something.
"You didn't mention Danny." Harry suddenly realized. "What happened to him?" His voice shook as his eyes pleaded with his former Professor to at least provide some good news, a light within the dark.
He already knew of Voldermort's resurrection last school year by the end of the Triwizard Tournament. He just didn't know that his enemy knew of his Aunt and instantly moved to get rid of her. Cedric Diggory's death was still fresh in his mind and another death was almost sending him on the edge. His anger for the man grew steadily, transforming into hatred so raw it hurt.
"That is why I came here. When we came, Daniel or Danny had suffered under the influence of the Cruciatus curse." Harry's blood ran cold at the statement. "It's terrible and those Death Eaters were merciless and ruthless. There were three of them. We managed to get a hold of the two while the last one escaped." Remus' voice quivered as the man shuddered.
"This… I hate that bastard!" The boy yelled as a nearby street lamp exploded, a testament to his rage as his magic flailed uncontrollably. "Where is Danny? Don't tell me that I have to hear another death story." He growled sarcastically as his fists clenched.
"He was just released from St. Mungo's yesterday. In fact," The professor paused as he looked over his shoulder. "Daniel!" He called loudly.
Harry straightened in surprise at that. He certainly didn't expect it.
A small boy bounded to the professor nervously, icy blue eyes swerving left and right as if he expected someone to jump him. His black hair was sticking out in all directions and almost looked like he just got a new haircut while his skin was pale. The boy's face was a little clammy and pallid as he fidgeted anxiously. He looked no older than eleven or twelve, dressed in a black hoodie, black jeans, and white trainers, dragging his trunk behind him.
"Harry, like you've already known, this is Daniel Fenton–"
"Evans." The boy cut off softly as he shuffled his feet, looking more nervous than he did a while ago.
"What?" Harry asked confusedly, he recognized the last name but he was very sure that Danny didn't go by that surname according to Aunt Maddie.
"I… I go by Daniel Evans now. My dad disowned me." Danny explained, his voice so quiet that they almost didn't hear the words.
Harry, who grew up without parents, would have given anything up just to have a distant cousin, aunt, uncle, or even grandparents who cared for him. That he still had a family who looked out for him (not counting the Dursleys) just like Ron and Hermione. Something Sirius and Aunt Maddie had filled up easily even though he had only known the former for some time and had never met the latter in person.
So to be thrown away by a person whom you believed to care for you, Harry knew how much painful it would be if Sirius simply abandoned him.
"I'm sorry." Harry apologized sincerely as if it was really his fault.
Not only for being abandoned by his father, but also for Aunt Maddie and Jazz's death, for not being there when Danny was practically tortured. He had exchanged a few letters with his two cousins during his second year up to fourth year and he knew to call them by their preferred nicknames now.
Danny looked surprised at the admission.
The boy then became flustered.
"N-No, it's fine!" He stuttered out as he bit his lip. "It's good to see you, Harry." Danny smiled weakly.
"Likewise, Danny. Though I hoped it would have been in better circumstances." Harry stated quietly, his voice held the slightest quaver as he spoke.
Danny blinked as he lowered his head.
"Yeah." He agreed solemnly. "Mom would have loved to meet you. Jazz too. Y-You said that you joined the Triwizard Tournament last school year, right?" The young boy tried to grasp for a suitable topic for conversation as he recalled the last letter he received from his cousin.
"I did." Harry answered faintly, horribly uncomfortable. "It was a disaster." He tried to joke but even he heard the morbid tone in it and winced.
Danny realized the cause too.
"So, you're not attending Salem Institute back in America?" Harry asked awkwardly, but inwardly hoping for the opposite.
"I don't think so." Danny replied as he shook his head.
"Oh yes!" Remus suddenly exclaimed and the raven haired boys jumped, startled as they had momentarily forgotten his presence. The man then brought out a certain letter that had Harry's eyes widening in realization. "Since he wasn't legally registered in the American Wizardry World yet, he had been welcomed and accepted to attend Hogwarts this school year." He explained as he watched the slight excitement and relief appear in the green irises of Harry.
But Danny just went silent as he suddenly found his feet interesting.
His mom had informed him that if they had settled more accordingly in England, he would be attending Hogwarts with his cousin to start his magical education. He was a bit undecided and skeptical about that since he and his mom had checked out the Salem Institute of Magic back in America to get an idea what kind of environment and lessons he would have to face. He had been excited at the prospect and had liked the school but due to the… incident five days ago and argument between his parents… that seemed farfetched now.
Danny tried to shake off the heartbreaking feeling, the pain that constricted his chest and throat. He shook his head resolutely, he was done crying and grieving during his stay at the hospital. But Mom and Jazz were the only people who had stood by him despite his difference that had his father rejecting him… And he would rather attend Hogwarts than stay with Vlad Masters. He just hoped that people were friendly in this place just like what he had glimpsed from Salem.
He bit his lip to stop it from quivering. There would be no one defending Amity Park now that he's gone–maybe Jack would but Danny wasn't really sure about the could.
"So," Remus cleared his throat uncomfortably. "We decided that Daniel would have to stay with you until the start of the school term." The man then pulled Harry to the side, looking over his shoulder to make sure the distance would obscure his words from Danny's ears. "You're the only family Daniel has left, Harry. He's a wizard so the Dursleys will no doubt turn him away. That boy has already been through enough things. Take care of him." Remus instructed firmly in a soft voice as he gazed deeply into the teenager's eyes.
Harry nodded without hesitation.
"Of course." He agreed with a little indignation in his voice.
Remus smiled at him.
"I know you would, thank you." The man nodded as he trudged back to Danny. "I've already explained your living accommodations. Behave yourself, alright? Your… Aunt Petunia and her family aren't exactly a bunch of pleasant people to those from our world." He discussed gently to the boy who slowly nodded.
Danny heard enough from his mom's angry complaints to have an idea of what to expect.
"I-I'll see you again, right Remus?" The boy asked hopefully, icy blue eyes softening to a plea.
Harry looked at him in wonder as he referred to the professor by his first name. Though Remus just blinked in surprise before he laughed good-naturedly, giving the boy a fond ruffle of the hair before drawing back.
"Of course, you have nothing to worry about. I have to go now, take care of your selves." The man reminded again as he grinned.
"Yes, Professor." Harry repeated with exasperation.
Both cousins watched as Remus Lupin disappeared with a resounding crack of Apparition.
Danny had been silent when they entered the house.
Aunt Petunia and Uncle Vernon hadn't reacted too kindly about him but they did pester him about the whereabouts of his family. Danny could only stammer a response quietly, answering as best as he could about the subject that was no doubt still a fresh wound. Then the adults ordered Harry to bring the boy's luggage to his quarters as Danny would be his new roommate. Harry was only too happy to comply and get his cousin away from those people.
After setting up a spare mattress on the floor beside his bed, Harry had loaded up the trunk beside his closet.
Danny silently walked into the room and sat himself on the floor.
"Mom's right, Aunt Petunia is one of the most inconsiderate people in the world. She's horrible." Danny found himself commenting softly as he stared at his lap.
"I know, trust me. I've been with her for the most part of ten years." Harry grumbled lowly, plopping on his bed as his cousin snickered. "So, when did you learn about magic?" He questioned and inwardly nodded to himself, it was good conversation starter. He wasn't really all that good with socializing but he was trying.
Danny suddenly had a small nostalgic smile on his face.
"Just after my eight birthday. I kind of used what you'd call 'accidental magic' and I thought there was something wrong with me. Mom had to explain it carefully to me because she didn't want dad to know." There was a bitter hint in his voice as he spoke of his father. Danny's shoulders hunched slightly as he sighed.
"Has he got this dislike for anything not normal?" Harry asked with a little dread.
"Yeah, Mom never knew of it until after they married. She thought that he would be more accepting because he's a ghost hunter. Turns out, he just wanted to destroy them." Danny shook his head ruefully as he realized that it was getting easier to talk.
It was just like in the letters, only with no owls to bite his fingers off.
"What about you? What did you think of it?"
Harry was becoming more and more intrigued by his cousin. At least, it would help in keeping him from thinking about their deaths. Only the good things, though he made a mistake in mentioning the father.
Danny seemed to brighten a little.
"It was cool, really! Cooler if Jazz got magic too. We actually checked Salem after Christmas holidays. I kind of got excited after your letter about the Triwizard Tournament so I forced Mom. It was amazing! People are much friendly and don't think of me as a freak because of my parents' job." His blue eyes sparkled with some twisted hope that made Harry angry and sad at the same time.
Harry knew the feeling of wanting to belong because he felt so alienated due to the Dursleys' efforts.
"HARRY! DANIEL!"
The holler made them jump as they were interrupted.
Danny looked utterly disgruntled. Uncle Vernon refused to call him 'Danny' because it "sounded too bloody American" according to the man. He didn't hate his name, it just reminded him of Vlad Masters who called him that–with that condescending and arrogant tone Vernon perfected so well in his pudgy voice. Only Remus got away with it because the man was the one who took care of him after that horrible night and was very kind.
"Let's go." Harry whispered, scowling. "Or we'll never hear the end of it."
Danny just sighed.
"So, after she graduated from that blasted wizard school, Madeline went to America to continue normal education?" Petunia enunciated each word as she eyed Danny intensely who fidgeted uncomfortably in his seat.
"That's how she met dad. Dad's a non-magical folk." He replied quietly, not really up to answering their questions.
But he was living with them now, Danny knew he had to be polite.
Damn, Jazz should be the one discussing this. She's more knowledgeable in this kind of things. The thought of his sister made him lose his appetite as he settled for picking on his food. Jazz was a great sister and her absence only made him miss her.
Snap out of it Danny, he thought to himself almost viciously. Get a hold of yourself!
"I heard, that still wouldn't change the fact that she's a bloody witch and married a lunatic man with a ghost obsession." His aunt muttered under her breath but Danny's hearing was able to catch it and he flinched.
"So, are you also one of them boy?" Vernon sneered as he bit into his steak violently.
"I-I… Uhm, I mean–yes." Danny stuttered as his hand tightened around his fork, not noticing Harry glaring fiercely at their uncle.
"Che," The man spat venomously. "Another freak in the house, just bloody great."
Danny froze as his blue eyes widened considerably. His face paled as it scrunched up in an unreadable expression – but he certainly looked like he had been slapped on the face, hard. His mom explained that being magical was normal for certain people. What really got to him was that that was exactly what his dad had labelled him when Jack found out his secret and instantly refused any relation to him.
Only Mom and Jazz understood him. It wasn't his fault that he became something else that his father couldn't accept.
Somehow, it was still different when other people said it because he could just blame his dad's obsession for ghost as an excuse for his narrow-mindedness. It was unlikely with others.
"Ha!" Dudley laughed, sending some of the rice in his mouth careening out. "The freak couldn't even speak!" He goaded nastily, scoffing as he did so.
A nearby lightbulb shattered loudly, making the occupants in the table silent.
Harry stood up from his chair so abruptly that it tilted backwards and fell. He was glaring at his relatives angrily as his fists clenched. Dudley and Petunia paled at the display of magic while Vernon glared back furiously, his pudgy cheeks reddening.
"Shut up." Harry growled heatedly.
"Talking back now, boy?" Vernon glowered darkly as he slowly stood up from his seat, keeping wary eyes on his teenaged nephew.
Danny realized that things were beginning to escalate on a dangerous level.
The boy stood up from his chair as he pushed his plate away, his fingers trembling as he did so. As he pulled his hand back though, he accidentally knocked over a glass of water on the table, spilling the liquid. Vernon's face swelled further with fury.
"Sorry!" Danny yelped as he stood the glass up.
"Upstairs! Now!" Vernon shrieked with barely restrained rage, pointing at the direction of the staircase.
Danny hastily moved away from his chair as he scurried up to his and Harry's room. This people made him nervous and they reminded him some of the bullies in middle school. Only this time, he's more at a disadvantage than he already was.
Harry looked extremely livid at his uncle and went after his cousin without a word, bypassing the screeches of Aunt Petunia and words of threats from Uncle Vernon.
This was going to be a long summer.
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